The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has cried foul after a truck carrying party T-shirts was looted.
The plundering saw the EFF in the Eastern Cape’s OR Tambo region be among those affected by the taxi strike that occurred in Mthatha on Monday.
This came after a vehicle transporting voter rolls and T-shirts for EFF volunteers in the Eastern Cape was attacked and looted in Mthatha as a result of the taxi violence and protests.
EFF provincial chairperson Zilindile Vena confirmed the incident. He said the looting will impede them as a political party from conducting their electoral duties honestly and freely, undermining democracy.
“We are aware that the protests have led to the closure of a total of 455 voting districts. These are in the OR Region’s Local Municipalities of Port St Johns, King Sabata Dalindyebo, and Nyandeni.”
Police not doing their job
Vena added that the EFF is concerned that the police are unable to protect people, volunteers and materials for Election Day.
“The inability of the SAPS to enforce law and order is now affecting elections. The truck that was meant to deliver voters’ rolls and T-shirts for EFF volunteers in the Eastern Cape has now been looted in Mthatha due to taxi violence and protests. The [EFF] is greatly concerned about the protests happening in the OR Tambo Region of the Eastern Cape,” Vena added.
He said they are in constant engagement with the police. They have pleaded that they must do everything in their power to protect the elections.
“South Africa’s security forces must do everything in their power to safeguard the integrity of the elections. The current developments are a cause for concern.”
Meanwhile, 73 FET colleges were grounded and approximately 10,877 Grade 12 learners from the region could not write their mid-terms examinations.
Mesuli Ngqondwana, mayor of OR Tambo District Municipality, sent out a call for calm and safety in and around Mthatha.
Mayor calls for calm
“Authorities are doing their best to facilitate a discussion. This is aimed at resolving the matter without further harm to property and persons. I implore all residents to exercise caution during this period. [We urge them] to be vigilant against any potential threats to their safety,” said Ngqondwana.
